Machine for treating bags



May 1935. L. T. BROMFIELD 2,000,507

MACHINE FOR TREATING BAGS Filed May 18, 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 12 ATTORNEY- y 7, 1935. L. T. BROMFIELD MACHINE FOR TREATING BAGS Filed May 18, 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 d w W H M M W Mm T/H in; 0 Z x Q y 1935. L. 'r. BROMFIELD 2,000,507

MACHINE FOR TREATING BAGS Filed May 18, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet s I zfl Z M FUJ W am 1% w. i 15 WW 0 m ag m l m vm n m IloyzZZ 775 VIIIIIIIIIIII'IIIIIIII-Z' l y 1935. L. 'r. BROMFIELD 2,000,507

MACHINE FOR TREATING BAGS Filed May 18, 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR- ATTORNEY- Patented May 7, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 24 Claims.

This invention relates to a machine for treating bags, and has for its object and purpose the provision of a compact machine in which a number of bags may at one time be dried, moistened, cleaned or subject to other similar treatment.

The particular machine illustrated and described in this application has been devised in particular for drying burlap and other bags of the kind commonly employed for containing and shipping sugar and similar commodities, and I desire to make it understood that in thus illustrating a particular example of my machine devised for the particular purpose indicated, I have not intended to limit the broader aspects of the invention to a machine adapted for that particular purpose only. The machine involves principles of general application which may be variously adapted and modified for drying, moistening and cleaning material of different kinds, not only of burlap bags, but also of fabric bags of various kinds, and therefore it is my intention to cover in some of the broader claims hereunto appended, these principles in any modifications of construction and design in which they may be embodied, as well as to cover the particular adaptation of such principles herein illustrated for the particular purpose above indicated.

More especially considered, the machine of the present invention comprises in its construction and arrangement a bag chamber in association with a section for supporting the bags pendant within the chamber, such section being arranged for movement whereby to move the bags during the treatment thereof through the chamber. The

' movable section is furnished with the passages for circulating the treating medium or fluid through the bags and suitable means are provided for causing a circulation of the treating medium.

In the present example, for the sake of compactness, convenience and dispatch in treating the bags, as well as for other reasons which will hereinafter appear, the bag chamber and movable bag supporting section are of circular formation and said section is mounted for rotation to move a number of bags around the chamber for treatment at one time. Associated with the rotary section is a stationary distributing head by means of which the treating medium is distributed into the passages of the rotating section and thence to the individual bags supported by the section. With this arrangement, a pipe connection may be provided between the bag chamber and the distributing head, so that the treating medium can be used over again in the treatment of the bags.

Another object of the invention is to provide in connection with the rotatable section, for each bag to be supported thereby, a novel bag carrier unit adapted to be moved to and from a position in which the bag may be applied and released exteriorly of the bag chamber. Each bag carrier unit is extensible, beingcomposed of divided parts relatively movable and together having a set of fingers over which the mouth end of the bag may be slipped for the support of the bag in stretched or expanded condition. The parts of each unit are so arranged and operated that each bag, after being subjected to treatment, will be automatically released exteriorly of the bag chamber.

A further object of the invention is to provide a machine having a single service station, at which an attendant may apply a bag on each bag carrier unit for treatment in the chamber, and also at which each unit will be automatically operated for the release of a treated bag.

Another object of the invention is to provide mechanism automatically controlled, for controlling the operation of each bag carrier unit.

A further object of the invention is to provide safety mechanism whereby each bag carrier unit, after each projection thereof at the service station, will be in all its parts, automatically retracted inside the bag chamber in the event no bag has been applied to that carrier unit at the service station.

The nature of the general principles and objects above referred to, as well as other and additional objects and advantages which will be apparent as the description proceeds, and the manner in which they may be embodied in concrete form and means, are explained in the following detailed description of the particular mechanisms herein illustrated as an example, and to which reference is now directed.

In the drawings, in which similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views:

Figure 1 represents a top plan view of a bag treating machine made in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a vertical cross sectional view through the machine, taken on the line 2--2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view on an enlarged scale, taken on the line 33 of Fig. 2, and showing the types of partitions that may be used in the bag chamber; Y

Fig. 4 represents a fragmentary top plan view showing one of the extensible bag carrier units with the cable control mechanism therefor, these devices being shown in the relative positions they occupy with respect to the cam rail when the carrier unit is protruded for the application or the release of a bag;

Fig. 5 represents a vertical sectional view taken on the line-6-5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary detail plan in section of an extensible bag carrier unit, with a bag applied thereto, showing the members of the unit in position for retraction to move the bag into the bag chamber;

Fig. 7 represents a fragmentary top plan view of the cable controlled mechanism;

Fig. 8 is a longitudinal section and elevation, taken on the line 83 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a vertical cross section on the line 8-4 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a top plan and section of an extensible bag carrier unit, showing the slide members thereof in process of separation for upholding a bag within the bag chamber, a bag being shown in broken lines as'engaged on the fingers of the slide members;

Fig. 11 is a longitudinal sectional view on the line llll of Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 is a cross section, taken on the line l2-I2 of Fig. 10;

Fig. 13 is a similar view, taken on the line l3-l3 of Fig. 11;

Fig. 14 is a plan view of a fragmentary portion of the machine, showing the safety device for automatically moving the outer slide members of the bag carrier units into the bag chamber;

Fig. 15 is a front elevation of the parts shown in Fig. 14; and

Fig. 16 is an end elevation, taken on the line l3l6 of Fig. 14.

By reference to the accompanying drawings, it will be noted that the invention is disclosed as embodied in a compact circular machine, and that it comprises a horizontally rotatable section including a drum 20, the hollow interior of which is relatively shallow and is divided into radial passages 2| by equi-spaced radially extending partitions 22. By means of pipes 23, of which there is one for each of the radial passages 2|,

the drum 2. supports a ring plate 24, said pipes individually providing for the flow of fluid medium from the individually associated radial passages 2! to the underside of the ring plate 24.

The drum 20 is centrally supported at the top of a vertical shaft 25, whichis mounted for rotation in bearings 26 formed in connection with the upright standard 21. The shaft 25 may be rotated from any suitable source of power and by any suitable transmission means. In the present instance, I show for this purpose, an electric motor 28, the driven shaft 29 of which is furnished with a pinion 33 in mesh with a spur gear 3|, which is fixed to said shaft 2!.

Immediately below the ring plate 24, I provide a chamber 32 in which the bags 33 are supported from the ring plate 24. Said chamber 32 consists of an annular channel-shaped casing structure, having concentrically disposed side walls 34 connected at their bottom ends by a bottom plate or wall 35. In the present embodiment,

the channel-shaped structure is stationary while the rotary section revolves with respect thereto, carrying the bags, of which there is one disposed below each, of the pipes 23, within the annular chamber 32.

The drum 2'] is formed with a central upstanding portion or head 36 provided at its top end with a circumferential flange joint 31 of angular form, as shown in Fig. 2. 38 denotes'a stationary distributing head which is provided at its lower end with a circumferential stufling box 38 within which the angular flange 3'! is fitted for rotation. The distributing head 38 is divided by the interior partition walls 40, 4| and 42 into two compartments 43 and 44, it being noted that the radial partition walls 4| and 42 extend along lines forming an angle in substantial conformity with the angular sectors formed in the drum between the partitions 22. The bag treating medium may consist, for instance, of air or gas introduced under pressure into the compartment 43 throush an inlet pipe 45. from a suitable fan-blower 40. For heating the air or gas, I may provide in the pipe 45 a heating device or element 41 through which the air or gas is passed before being introduced into the compartment 43. For withdrawing the treating medium from the bag chamber 32, I provide a fan-blower 48, which is incorporated in an exhaust pipe line 49, the portion 42' of this line, at the suction side of the fan-blower, being in communication with the chamber 32 at the lower end thereof. At a point substantially diametrically opposite the exhaust line, there is shown a fan-blower 53, the suction side thereof being connected by a pipe ii with the lower end of the bag chamber, while the pressure side of this fan-blower is connected by a pipe line '2 with the compartment 44. With this arrangement. as will presently appear, provision is made for using a large portion of the treating medium at least twice in the bag treating operations.

On referring to Fig. 1, it will be noted that at the front of the machine, the outer side wall 34 is provided with an opening or doorway 53 through which communication may be had between the bag chamber and the outside of the machine where the attendant is stationed to apply the bag in a manner as will hereinafter more fully appear. In order to prevent blasts of air from reaching the bags which are moved within the chamber to a position behind the doorway and also from interfering with the work of the attendant, I provide in the bottom of the distributing head 38 between the radial partition walls 4i and 42, a plate or valve 54. Since the distributing head is stationary. blasts of air, destined for the individual pipes 23, and passing through either of the compartments 43 or 44',

cannot pass directly through any radial passage 21, brought into aligning position with respect to the valve plate 54.

Each bag 33 is supported mouth upward immediately below the ring plate 24 and in such position that the treating medium under pressure is discharged directly from the pipe 23 into the interior of the supported bag. Each bag is thus supported from the ring plate by a bag carrier unit which is operatively mounted on the underside of the ring plate; and a cable control mechanism is provided for each bag carrier unit. whereby in part, as will hereinafter appear. to control the actuation of the same. Inasmuch as the several bag carrying units are of duplicate construction, a detailed description of one will suffice for all. The several cable control mechanisms are also of duplicate construction, so that a detailed description of one will be sufficient for all.

Each bag carrier unit comprises an extension frame or device which is divided into three relatively movable parts 55-, 56 and 51. For convenience of identification and description, the pftrts 55 and 56 may respectively be referred to as a head sliding frame or member and as a tail sliding frame or member, while the part 51 will be referred to as a tightener sliding piece. The two members 55 and 56 are, in general, H-shaped in form, as shown in Figs. 4, 6 and 10. These two members are mounted in longitudinal guides 58, 58, which are secured to the under-side of the ring plate 24 and radially thereof with respect to the central shaft. The member 55 is formed, as best shown in Fig. 10, with inward or rearward projections 59, 59, which define the opposite sides of the bight 66 at the rear end of the cross-piece 6| of this H-shaped frame. The free ends of these projections are adapted to enter and seat in the bights 62, 62 at the opposite sides of the boss 63 of a cross-piece 64 of the H-shaped member 56. Said member 55 at its opposite longitudinal edges is provided with enlargements 65 which constitute bearings slidably engaging between the under-side of the ring plate 24 and the ledges 66 inwardly projecting from the guides 58, as shown in Fig. 12. In a similar manner the member 56 has formed on its longitudinal edges bearing enlargements 61 which are slidable between the under-side of the ring plate 24 and the ledges 66, as shown in Fig. 13. The member 55 is provided with two depending bag engaging fingers 66, 69, which fingers, as best shown in Fig. 12, are laterally offset at 66, 68' in order to provide suitable bights 68", 68", in which the mouth or rim of the bag may lie for unobstructed treatment when the bag is supported by the fingers. The member 56 is provided with similar fingers 69, 69, similarly offset at 69', 69' to produce bights 69", 69" for receiving the mouth or rim edge of the bag. The sliding piece slides upon suitable guides 16, 10, provided for the purpose on the member 56, at the rear of the cross-piece 64 thereof, as illustrated in Fig. 10. Said sliding piece 51 is furnished with hearing enlargements 1 I, II which engage between the ring plate 24 and said guides 16, as shown in Fig. 13. The head and tail sliding members 55 and 56 are thus mounted for relative movement on the longitudinal guides located on the under-side of the ring plate 24 while the sliding piece 51 is arranged to slide upon the tail member 56.

The cable control mechanism is mounted upon the upper-side of the ring plate 24 to move thereon inwardly and outwardly with respect to the center shaft 25. This device consists of a longitudinal body 72 provided at its opposite sides both forward and aft, with latterly projecting studs 13, carrying rollers 14 which turn on the ring plate 24 and in suitable guide structures which are mounted upon the ring plate 24 as shown on Figs. 7, 8 and 9.

l6 denotes an actuable element comprising a flexible cable which is fastened to the ring plate 24 at H, and this cable passes around sheave wheel 18 operatively mounted upon the body I2 (Fig. 4), and then over guide sheaves wheel 19 which rotates on a stud shaft mounted on the front end piece 80 which connects the longitudinal guides 58. This cable then passes freely through a hole 8| in the cross-piece of the member 55 and rearwardly of said cross-piece it is secured to a connecting block 82 adapted freely to move in the bight 60. Into said block 82 is fixed a rod 83 which extends loosely through a hole 84 in the boss 63 and cross piece 64 of the sliding member 56. This rod at its rear end is fixed to the sliding piece 51, which, as shown in Fig. 13, carries a depending finger 65. Said rod 66 passes freely through the helical spring 65, imprisoned between the block 62 and the boss 66. Into the sliding piece 51 is fixed a continuation of the actuableline comprising a flexible cable 61 which passes over sheave wheel 66 mounted for free rotation on a bracket 89 supported by the ring plate 24 (Fig. 5). Said cable 61 has attached thereto a depending weighted plunger 96 which slides freely, although with small clearance, in the tube or dash-pot 9|, having a closed bottom 9|. A fixed cam rail 92, supported by any suitable or convenient stationary fixed support (not shown) is arranged to be engaged by a cam follower wheel 96 which turns upona stud 94 secured to the body'l2 of the cable control mechanism. In Fig. 4 it will be seen that the cam rail comprises a rearwardly inclined portion 95, a relatively straight portion 95 and a forwardly inclined portion 95". As shown in Fig. 1', the cam rail 92 is located in such position with respect to the doorway 56 that when the rotary section turns in a clock wise direction as indicated by the arrow 66, the cable control mechanism will be actuated so as to move the bag carrier members outwardly a distance suflicient to bring the fingers 66 and 69 exteriorly of the bag chamber as shown at the left hand end of Fig. 5.

The operation of each cable control mechanism in conJunction with its associate bag carrier unit is as follows: As the follower wheel 93 turns along the rearwardly inclined portion 95 of the cam rail, the cable control mechanism is drawn inwardly or rearwardly actuating the cable and raising the weighted plunger 90. On the movement of the cable which thus raises the weighted plunger, the sliding piece 51 is moved outwardly, releasing the tightened engagement of the finger 65 with the bag, and. the tail sliding member 56 on the engagement therewith of the sliding piece 51 is moved outwardly until the block 82 engages the head sliding member 55, whereupon both the tail and head sliding members are moved with the cable. When the follower wheel 93 reaches the straight portion 95' of the cam rail, the fingers of the head and tail sliding members are in relatively close relationship, exteriorly of the bag chamber, as shown at the left hand side of Fig. 5, so that the bag (if one be carried by the fingers) will be released to drop from the fingers by its own weight. The rate of rotation of the rotary section bears such relation to the length of the straight portion 95 that during the travel of the follower wheel along the straight portion 95', the attendant servicing the machine at the doorway or service station, will have time to slip the next bag upwardly upon the fingers. As the follower wheel travels along the outwardly inclined portion 95 of the cam rail, the cable is actuated by the descent of the weighted plunger so as to draw the cable control mechanism outwardly; and during this operation the tail sliding member is drawn inwardly into the bag chamber moving the applied bag therewith. The attendant holds the outer mouth portion 33' of the bag until the fingers 66 of the head sliding member are engaged thereby, whereupon by means of the bag itself and the stretching or spreading there of, the head sliding member will be drawn into the bag chamber, the attendant of course releasing his grip on the bag as soon as the fingers as the head sliding member engages the shoulder abutments 81 (Fig. 10), provided for the purpose "'onthe guides 58, the helical spring 86 imprisoned between the block 82 and the boss 68, will be compressed by reason of the force or pull exerted by the weighted plunger, and the sliding piece 41 is consequently moved rearwardly to engage its finger 86 with the bag and thereby firmly tighten the bag in place as shown at the righthand side of Fig. 5.

The heated air, issuing under pressure from the tubes 23 into the interiors of the bags, inflate the bags, which thereupon form a reasonable seal crosswise between the concentric side-walls 34 of the bag chamber. A partition 88 (Figs. 1, 2 and 3) in the drying chamber prevents the air below the bags from by-passing between the portions'ofthe chamber under the influence of the suction exerted by the fan-blowers 50 and 48. My present machine may be used for treating bags of different sizes. When a bag 88 (indicated at the left hand side of Fig. 2), of considerably smaller size than a bag 33 (indicated at the right 7 hand side of Fig. 2) is to be treated, I employ, in addition to the partition 98, a removable L- shaped partition I00. The vertical side I of this partition extends upwardly between the bagand the inner concentric side-wall 34, while the horizontal part thereof is located above the partition 88.

The treating medium, gas or air, enters the compartment 48 of' the fixed distributing head 38, having passed through fan-blower 46 and heating element 41. From the compartment 43 the treating medium during the rotation of the rotary section passes down into the radial passages 2i and thence down through the therewith associated distributing pipes 23 into the interiors of the bags. The bags are thereupon inflated, stretching the fabric thereof, so that the treating medium, in passing from the interiors of the bags into the bag chamber, will pass through the fabric material of the bags, carrying off any moisture therein and thereby rapidly drying the fabric. Such part of the treating medium as is drawn out by the fan-blower 50, is forced into the compartment 44 and returned again to the bags. In this way the heat content of the treating medium is efficiently and economically employed. The treating medium in the bag chamber 82 that comes within the suction influence of the fan-blower 48 is exhausted from the machine. In the use of my machine, there is no accumulation of lint or fuzz, as the air drafts and final discharge provide for the removal of this highly inflammable material as fast as it is extracted from the fibers of the bags. This is highly important as it eliminates the fire hazard which is usually present in treating burlap bags.

From what has been said, it will be understood that my machine can be operated continuously, that is to say, the attendant can apply the bags to the bag carrier units at the doorway or service station without stopping the rotation of the rotary section and without shutting off the fanblowers. Any suitable means or mechanism may be provided for controlling the rate of rotation of the rotary section, so that a bag applied to a bag carrier unit at the doorway or service station will be thoroughly dried by the time it returns to said doorway or service station where it is automatically discharged in the manner herein- .before described.

We have seen that in the present evolvement of my machine, the applied bag itself serves as a means for moving the head sliding member into that position in which its fingers 68 will be inside the bag chamber. In Figs. 14, 15 and 16, I show a construction of means whereby when no bag is applied to a particular bag carrier unit, the head sliding member of that particular unit will be automatically moved inwardly so that its fingers 68 will come inside the bag chamber. The construction of means'for this purpose comprises a bent lever arm IOI mounted near one end for movement upon a vertical stud shaft I02, which is firmly fixed to a supporting bracket I03. This bracket is in turn securely fastened to the outside side-wall 34 of the drying chamber. For each bag carrier unit as indicated locationally by the guides 58, a striking piece I04 is provided, this piece being fastened to the ring plate 24. As' the ring plate 24 rotates in the direction of the arrow 96, the striking piece I04, engages a projection I05 on the disk-shaped member I06 which is also mounted for rotation on the stud-shaft I02.- Said disk-shaped member I06 is also formed with a projection I01 adapted to engage with and move lever arm IOI. Both the lever arm IM and the member I06 are returned after each operation by spiral springs (not shown) which are encased in the housing parts I08 and connected to the disk-shaped member I06. Said lever IOI carries a striking bar I09 which is free to turn slightly on stud-shaft IIO, but is limited in its motion by a stop I I I. This arrangement is such that each time the striking piece I04 engages the projection I06 to pass by the latter during the movement of the rotary section the arm IOI will be actuated so that the striking bar I09 will engage the fingers 68 of the head sliding member and thereby move said head sliding member inwardly a distance sufllcient to bring its fingers 68 within the bag chamber where they are thereupon guided by the outer side-wall 34 of the bag chamber.

The function of the tube 8| is to provide a dashpot action in the event a cable breaks or when the machine is operated without bags. While in the present exemplification only two compartments 43 and 44 are shown in the stationary distributing head, it will be obvious that, if desired, more than two. compartments may be provided. This, of course, may be readily accomplished by adding additional partitions and also additional pipes and fan-blowers. While in the present exempliflcation the air is shown as first passing through the bags as they move in a clock-wise direction from the doorway, it will be obvious that by reversing the cam-rail 82 end for end, in connection with such other accompanying changes as may be necessary, the air may be made to first enter the bags on the approach side of the doorway during the movement of the rotary section in a clock-wise direction.

From the foregoing description, considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, the construction, operation, and several advantages of my invention will be clearly and fully understood. It will be seen that I have devised a very simple and novel bag treating machine, wherein the several cooperating mechanisms are com pactly arranged, and which in practice may be employed not only for drying the bags, but as well for moistening or cleaning the same. It will be readily understood that where the bags are to be moistened, suitable air moistening apparatus may be employed at any place desired in the system of air circulation. i have herein disclosed one simple and practical embodiment of the various novel mechanisms and features of my present invention, but it will nevertheless be understood that the same are susceptible to more or less modification in the form, proportion and relative arrangement of the various parts, and I, therefore, reserve the privilege of resorting to all such legitimate changes therein as may be incorporated within the spirit and scope of my invention as claimed.

I claim:

1. A bag treating machine of the kind set forth, comprising an endless circular channel-shaped treating chamber for the bags, 9, top section continuously closing the chamber and having independently working means supporting the bags, mouths upward therein, and expanded and covered by the section itself, said section being mounted for rotary movement and adapted, when moved, to move the bags in the chamber, passages formed in the top section for conducting and discharging treating fluid directly through the expanded mouth openings into the interiors of the individual bags during the movement of the bags in the chamber, means for supplying treating fluid under pressure to said passages, and means for periodically closing said passages.

2. A bag treating machine of the kind set forth, comprising a stationary section having an annular treating chamber for the bags, a rotary plate closing the top of the treating chamber, a plurality of bag carrier units movable with the rotary plate and adapted each to carry a bag within the chamber, said bag carrier units individually having mutually cooperating movable members with depending fingers for engaging the inside of the bag through its mouth opening and retaining the mouth opening spread in juxtaposition to the rotary plate, means movable with the rotary plate for discharging treating medium into the interior of each bag through the spread mouth-opening thereof, and the movable members of each unit being effective to move its sustained bag into position for discharge at a point exteriorly of the treating chamber.

3. A bag treating machine of the kind set forth, comprising a treating chamber for the bags, a top section for the chamber, carriers on the top section for attaching individual bags thereto and including adjustable members engageable inside the bags for suspending the latter mouths upward and spread in juxtaposition to the section, said section being mounted for rotary movement to move the bags in the chamber, passageways in the section, of which one leads to each of the suspended bags for flowing treating fluid into the interior of each bag through the spread mouth opening thereof, and thereby through the fabric of each bag into the chamber surrounding the same, a distributing head associated with the top section and divided into compartments for distributing treating fluid into the passageways, means for introducing treating fluid under pressure into one compartment, and means for withdrawing treating fluid from the chamber and introducing it under pressure into the other compartment of the distributing head.

4. A bag treating machine of the kind set forth comprising a rotary top, means for supporting bags from the top, comprising carriers for attaching individual bags and including adjustable members engageable inside the bags for suspending the latter mouths upward and spread in juxtaposition to the top, a head associated with the top and provided with successive compartments, passageways in the top aflording means for flowing treating fluid into the interior of each bag through v the mouth thereof, which passageways as the top rotates are brought into and out of communication with the successive compartments, means for passing treating fluid into one compartment, a casing enclosing the bags and forming a chamber therearound for receiving treating fluid passing through the fabric of the bags from the interiors of the bags, and means for withdrawing the treating fluid from the chamber and passing it into another compartment.

5. A bag treating machine comprising an annular treating chamber for the bags, a rotary section forming a top closure for said chamber and having suspended from it a plurality of bag holders working independently to suspend a plurality of bags in said chamber, each holder being extensible and having means to frictionally engage inside the mouth-opening of the bag to maintain the same expanded and covered by the section, and means in connection with said section for discharging treating medium into the so suspended bags.

6. A bag treating machine having an horizontally disposed treating chamber and a rotary top closure therefor, a plurality of bag holders suspended from said closure in spaced relation and working independently, each being extensible and having means to engage inside the mouthopening of a bag to support and maintain the same expanded and covered by said closure, said holders being extensible in an outward direction to bring the bags exteriorly of the chamber, means in connection with said closure for discharging treating medium into the bags through the mouth-openings thereof, and means for automatically interrupting the discharge of treating fluid to that bag the holder of which is extended in an outward direction.

'7. In a bag treating machine, a treating chamber of a length to provide a course of travel, a cover mounted for movement along the course of travel, means on the cover for suspending a bag within the chamber in condition for inflation, said means comprising carrier parts having fingers insertable through the mouth opening of the bag for frictionally engaging the inner face of the bag, said parts being extensible to expand the bag at its mouth opening, a passageway provided on the cover and through which to introduce treating fluid under pressure into the bag through the mouth portion thereof, whereby to inflate the bag, means for moving the cover, and means for creating low pressure within the chamber exteriorly of the bag to cause the treating fluid to pass through all portions of the material of the bag while the bag is moved along the course of travel by the cover.

8. In a bag treating machine, the combination with a rotary section having an annular portion, a plurality of bag carriers on the annular portion for sustaining bags in depending relation, each carrier comprising parts having fingers insertable through the mouth-opening of the bag for frictionally engaging the inner face of the bag, said parts being extensible to expand the bag at its mouth-opening, said annular portion constituting a cover for the mouth-openings of the bags, passageways on the section, leading through the annular portion to each suspended bag and adapted to discharge treating fluid into the bag, a head for distributing treating fluid associated with the section and with which the passageways are adapted to communicate as the section rotates, whereby to provide ior the flow oi treating fluid irom the head and into the bags ior the inflation oi the bags during operation oi the rotary section.

9. In a bag treating machine, which includes a bag treating chamber and rotary cover section thereior, a bag carrier connected ior its support to the underiace oi the section and divided into relatively movable members mutually eooperative to engage and support a bag in condition ior inflation, with the open mouth oi the bag covered by said section. a passageway on the section through which to flow and discharge treating fluid into the supported bag, adistributing member associated with the section ior dischargin treating fluid to said passageway, and means ior maintaining a flow oi treating fluid to the distributing member.

10. In a bag treating machine which includes a bag treating chamber and a rotating cover section thereior, a bag carrier connected ior its support to the underiace oi the section and divided into relatively movable parts having fingers insertable through the mouth opening oi the bag ior irictionally enga ing the inner iace oi the bag, said parts being extensible to expand the bag at its mouth opening, a passageway on the section through which to flow and discharge treating fluid into the supported bag, and means under the control oi the rotating movement oi the section'ior operating said parts to enable the application oi a bag thereto and to permit the automatic release oi a bag thereirom.

11. A plurality oi independently working bag carriers, a bag treating chamber having a side .opening and a rotary top to the underside oi which the carriers are attached ior their support and in spaced apart relation whereby to be moved past said opening in succession, said carriers each having extensible parts with fingers ior iriotionally engaging with the inside iace oi the bag ior the support oi the bag mouth upwardly and closed by said top, said extensible parts being extensible in a direction ior the passage oi the suspended bag through said opening, and

means ior causing the extension of the carriers in succession at said opening during the rotation of the top.

12. A bag carrier device comprising guide means, a pair oi movable members movable longitudinally along the guide means, each member being provided with flngers insertable through the mouth opening oi the bag ior irictionally engaging the inner iace oi the bag, said members being extensible to expand the bag at its mouth-opening, one oi said members being movable in connection with the movement oi the other member through the instrumentality oi a bag engaged with the fingers oi the two members.

'18. A bag carrier device comprising a guide, three sliding members relatively movable with respect to each other, each provided with a finger adapted to engage within a bag, two oi said sliding members beingmovable on said guide, and the third sliding member being movable on the second, said first sliding member being movable in connection with the movement oi the second sliding member through the instrumentality oi a bag engaged within the fingers oi the first and second sliding members, and the said third sliding member being movable to tighten the engagement oi the bag upon the fingers oi the first and second sliding members,

whereby through the mutual cooperation of the three members to support the bag in a condition ior inflation and while being inflated.

14.In combination, three relatively movable port the bag by the members in condition ior inflation, means ior actuating the members comprising an operating element ireely slidable in openings in the flrst and second members and connected with the third member, a helical spring engaged with the element between the flrst and second members and abutting the sec-- ond member, means ior moving the operating element in a direction to move the third member away irom the first and second members, a stop ior limiting the movement of the first member and thereby through the instrumentality oi a bag engaged with the flngers oi the flrst and second members to limit the movement oi the second member, said spring upon the limitation oi the movement of the first and second members being adapted to be compressed to permit iurther relative movement oi the third member and thereby to stretch and tighten the engagement oi the bag upon the fingers oi the members.

15. In a bag treating machine, a plurality oi bag supporting members adapted to be actuated, an actuating line passing ireely through the first member and having resilient means connecting it with the second member for moving the second member with the line, said first and second members having fingers adapted together to be engaged with a bag whereby by means oi the bag to move the first member with the second member, and a stop for the first member to limit the movement oi the same and thereby through the instrumentality oi the engaged bag to limit the movement oi the second member.

16. In a bag treating machine, a plurality oi bag supporting members adapted to be actuated, an actuating line passing ireely through the first member and having resilient means connecting it with the second member for moving the second member with the line, said first and second members having fingers adapted together to be engaged with a bag whereby by means oi the bag to move the first member with the second member, and a third member engaged with the line and having a finger engageable with the bag, said third member being movable to the extent permitted by the resilient means to tighten the engagement oi the bag upon the fingers of the three members aiter the first and second members have ceased to move.

17. In a bag treating machine, the combination with a rotary section, oi a plurality oi relatively movable members having fingers for engaging within a bag and adapted together to support a bag engaged thereon, an actuable line arranged to control the operation oi said movable members and weighted to tend to move in one direction, and means ior controlling the operation oi said actuable line, comprising mechanism arranged ior reciprocation upon said section and engaged with said line, a fixed cam rail, and a iollower wheel disposed on said mechanism ior engagement with said cam rail.

18. In a bag treating machine, the combination with a rotary section, oi first and second reciprocating members mounted thereon and iurnished respectively with fingers adapted together to support a bag, the fingers adapted to enter within the bag to retain the bag thereon, with the bag serving as a pull connection between the respective fingers of the two members, the second of said members being relatively movable in a direction away from the first member and adapted, when moved in such direction, to move the first member therewith when a bag is retained on the respective fingers of the two members, a weighted actuating line having operative connection with the second member, and an operable control for the actuating line, depending for its operation upon the rotary movement of said section.

19. In a bag treating machine, the combination of a rotary section, a bag chamber, first and second reciprocating members mounted on the section and furnished respectively with fingers adapted together to support a bag, said members being mounted for movement in a direction interiorly of the chamber, to bring their respective fingers interiorly of the chamber, an actuating line for moving the second member into a position in which its fingers will be within the chamber and dependent for its operation upon the rotation of said section, and means independent of the actuating line, also dependent for its operation upon the rotation of said section for moving the first member into a position in which its fingers will be within the chamber, said independent means being arranged for operation in relation to the operation of said actuating line.

20. A bag treating machine having, in combination, a rotary section with a plurality of individually operable bag carrier units, each movable longitudinally in guides in a direction radially of the section and adapted to carry a bag in dependent position, an annular bag treating chamber disposed beneath the section and in which the bags are moved on movement of the section, said chamber having a doorway at one point, means for rotating the section, and means depending for its operation upon the rotation of said section for individually operating said units radially of said section and transversely of said doorway to provide for the application and release of the bags exteriorly of the chamber.

21. In a bag treating machine which includes an endless channel-shaped chamber having an opening at one sideand an endless rotating top for the chamber, a succession of bag carriers supported by the top in spaced relation and each comprising extensible working parts for suspending a bag, mouth upwardly and expanded and closed by the top, said working parts being extensible in a direction to be protruded through said side opening, means in connection with the top for discharging treating fluid into the suspended bags directly through the mouth openings thereof, means for causing the extension of the carriers in succession as the working parts thereof come opposite said opening, and means for shutting oil the discharge of treating fluid for each bag in succession as its supporting carrier moves into position in which the working parts of the carrier can be protruded through said opening.

22. In a bag treating machine, the combination of a bag treating chamber, a traveling section forming a top closure for said chamber, and

a plurality of bag holders carried by the top closure and working independently to suspend a plurality of bags in said chamber, each holder being extensible and having means to frictionally engage inside the mouth-opening of the bag to maintain the same expanded and covered by the top closure.

23. In a bag treating machine, the combination with a bag treating chamber having a wall with an opening through which bags can be passed, of a moving top for said chamber moving along said wall and past said opening, a bag holder carried by said moving top and having relatively movable members for engaging inside the mouth-opening of a bag whereby to expand and sustain the bag, said relatively movable members being movable to and from positions in which they can pass a bag through said opening.

24. In a bag treating machine, the combination with a bag treating chamber having an opening through which bags can be passed, of a traveling section forming a top closure for said chamber and passing adjacent the location of said opening, a plurality of bag holders carried by the top closure and working independently to suspend a lurality of bags in said chamber, each holder being extensible and having means to frictionally engage inside the mouth-opening of the "bag to maintain the same expanded and covered by the top closure, and means for causing movement relative to said top closure of each bag holder at and into said opening so as to pass a bag therethrough.

LLOYD T. BROMFIELD. 

